We got to embark once more on Apollo Justice’s legal journey with the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy by Capcom. This collection, out for nearly all systems including the PlayStation 4, bundles three compelling games: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice. While the entire trilogy is named after Apollo Justice, who is only the main protagonist of the first game, the trilogy delves deeper into the overarching narrative of a legal world gripped by chaos, deceit, and a tarnished legal system – introducing several interesting characters along the way. To add some drama, the narrative self-references the events of the games as a dark period for law and justice.
Starting with the first game, the trilogy introduces us to Apollo Justice, a rookie defense attorney, who teams up with the legendary and established Phoenix Wright to unravel the mysteries behind Wright’s disbarment and the corruption that is plaguing the legal system. Set in a tumultuous period where fake evidence and incorrect judgments run rampant, the trilogy paints a vivid picture of a world in desperate need of some honesty and justice. While the focus shifts between Apollo, Phoenix, and the new rookie Athena, the narrative weaves together seamlessly, offering a captivating blend of courtroom drama, intrigue, and entertaining characters who interact well with one another.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy maintains the series’ distinctive blend of visual novel and adventure game elements. Players engage in investigations, exploring crime scenes and gathering evidence with the help of sidekicks. The courtroom battles that the series is known for stand out as highlights though. Uncovering the truth requires sharp thinking, questioning witnesses, and identifying contradictions using the evidence you’ve collected. Each game in the trilogy introduces its own unique mechanics as well, such as Apollo’s ability to spot lies and Athena’s ability to read emotions with the help of a gadget.
The trilogy’s gameplay depth is complemented by a wealth of bonus content, making it more than just a compilation of the original games. The inclusion of two previously DLC-only Special Episodes, a gallery featuring concept art and a jukebox with in-game music all add value to the package, and an Animation Studio that allows players to interact with character animations is fun to play around with as well. Particularly noteworthy is the “Story Mode,” a helpful feature that basically allows the game to play itself by offering guidance when you’re stuck, providing hints rather than acting as a complete walkthrough.
While the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy shines in many aspects, it’s not without its flaws. Some cases suffer from pacing issues, extending across multiple days when more concise storytelling would be preferable – though perhaps this is amplified by playing three games in a row. Additionally, the trilogy’s characters, especially the prosecutors, are less memorable and charming when compared to the characters in other entries in the series. Despite these shortcomings, the trilogy remains a fantastic addition to the Ace Attorney collection, offering engaging courtroom battles and a great amount of content for the price.
In conclusion, the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy successfully brings the remaining Ace Attorney games to modern consoles. The trilogy boasts unique gameplay mechanics and a captivating narrative that explores the challenges faced by a flawed legal system. While it may not surpass the brilliance of the earlier entries in the series, the collection’s bonus content and quality-of-life improvements make it a worthwhile addition for both fans and newcomers to the courtroom drama genre.
Score: 8.2/10
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